Earlier this year I riduculed Alan Johnston (then Home Sec) for being telentless and having no experience.

I was chided by a number of posters, who said that it was an amazing achievement to have risen so high.

Whilest rising to the top is an admirable quality - it HAS to be done on talent and ability. I was then - and still am, - totally unable to see how Johnston was ever qualifed in any way to be Home Sec !

New - he's shadow Chancellor of the Exchequor !

From BBC News - <<< But he acknowledged his lack of economic experience, saying he was being "chucked in the deep end".

Asked by the BBC what his first move would be in the job, he joked that it would be to "pick up a primer in economics for beginners". >>>

Little wonder, then, why Labour cannot get the sums to add up !

I really like Alan and think he's a great choice.

JK2006 wrote:
I really like Alan and think he's a great choice.

I seem to remember, JK, that you backed Dianne Abbot - and she didn't even make the shadow cabinet !

I really like Alan. But he's no (shadow) Chancellor. A really odd decision.

Prunella Minge wrote:
I really like Alan. But he's no (shadow) Chancellor. A really odd decision.

Yep - only Labour could sent for a plumber when they need an electrician !

Or to put it another way ... send for a Tesco shelf stacker when they need a Chancellor !

It's REALLY odd, isn't it? It's as if Miliband is trying to control his rivals rather than build a strong team, which, at this stage, is madness. I can see why he didn't want Balls ideologically but, really, you don't 'grow into' a job like the Chancellor - it's now an expert's gig.

I hate most of the Nu Labour crew but for different reasons to you ITK.

It's because they aren't old Labour and are just another version of the Tories.

Prunella Minge wrote:
you don't 'grow into' a job like the Chancellor - it's now an expert's gig.

...are you sure, Prunella ?

Alan the Postman was appointed on friday - and has made his first pronouncement today (Sun). www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11508789
Thats quick learning ! Or he's talking a load of ill-thought out crap ?

The latter, poor man.

JK - quick update ... Dianne Abbot has been made a junior minister -

Sky News - Ms Abbott, a left-winger, came last in the contest to succeed Gordon Brown and she also lacked the support needed from fellow Labour MPs to be elected to the shadow cabinet.

But Mr Miliband, who is still appointing to the lower ranks of his first shadow team, has made her shadow public health minister